Ted Allen hosts "Chopped Grill Masters Napa"

If ever there was an argument about what makes the perfect cooking competition, "Chopped" would have a really strong case.

After 28 regular seasons, the Food Network favorite is showing no signs of slowing down, and its regular special series drive that episode number even higher. At this point, it's official: audiences can't get enough of "Chopped."

"Chopped Grill Masters" first aired in 2012, came back in 2015 and now it's back again for a third tournament, beginning Tuesday, July 5.

This time around, the grill masters are cooking in California's beautiful Napa Valley, at the historic Beringer Vineyards. As in most "Chopped" tournaments, 16 master grillers compete over four episodes (that's four contestants in each episode), with the winners competing against each other in a fifth episode for the smoking hot $50,000 prize.

Unlike in a regular episode of "Chopped," these master grillers have more than just secret basket ingredients and a clock with too little time on it to worry about. They aren't cooking in the beautiful, state-of-the-art "Chopped" kitchen -- no, to be a true grill master means cooking outdoors with charcoal and propane, and at the mercy of whatever Mother Nature decides to throw into the mix.

For regular "Chopped" watchers, though -- or even if you've just caught the occasional episode here and there -- the "Grill Masters" tournament is just a playful change of pace without throwing the baby out with the bath water. The grill masters still compete over three rounds, each time having to use a basket containing four ingredients that they must feature in their dish.

Ted Allen still hosts, a panel of culinary experts still judges and the winner of each of the four preliminary rounds still wins $10,000 cash.

It's not reinventing the wheel, but why should it? If its sheer number of seasons proves anything, it's that "Chopped" is perfect as it is. "Chopped Grill Masters" gives the show a fun twist without deviating too far from what makes "Chopped" such a prolific favorite.

"Chopped Grill Masters Napa" premieres Tuesday, July 5, on Food Network.